Bresser Weather Stations – Made in China

There seems to be a lot of misconception about Bresser Weather stations.

Bresser is a German based company but most of their products are actually made in China and not in Germany.

Shenzen Fine Offset Electronics

Shenzen Fine Offset Electronics is the largest manufacturer of weather stations for almost 20 years now. Popular brands like Ambient Weather, Sainlogic, La Crosse, Logia and Bresser are all made in the same factory and just branded with a logo. The majority of weather station designs, display consoles and the software behind them originates from Shenzen Fine Offset, the original OEM manufacturer.

The Bresser Professional 5-in-1 Weather Station or is it?

Let’s start our journey into opening up the facts behind Bresser Weather stations.

A very popular model, and one of their cheapest, is their 5-in-1 weather station as pictured below. Sporting a Bresser log why would even think it was made in China and not made in Germany?

Now have a look at some of the competitors 😉 Below is the very same weather station design by Logia and Ambient Weather but of course neither Ambient Weather, Logia or Bresser designed these 😀 You will notice slight differences in the display consoles, the bottom 2 are identical while the top display has been very popular on the Logia 5-in-1 weather station for some years now, also pictured below.

Recognize the display console?

Of course you do, scroll back up and look at the Bresser 5-in-1 picture 😉 Same display 🙂

Retailers misleading customers

Many retailers of Bresser, especially in South Africa, have mistakenly fooled/misled the public into believing that the Bresser Weather Stations are made in Germany. I have even seen this advertised on the popular Takealot online e-commerce store with the actual words Made in Germany while other retailers simply DO NOT say where it is made at all. Retailers may boast about Bresser being a German company which they are, so without saying the product they are selling you is NOT made in Germany, the public is easily misled into thinking it is, advertising trickery at its finest.

I wish retailers would simply be honest with their customers, it’s one reason or this post as it is long overdue to set the record straight on weather stations.

Of all online retailers in South Africa selling Bresser weather stations I found only ONE that actually declares the product origin in plain and simple text so that their customers KNOW what they are buying.

The 5 Year Warranty Lure 🤔

The big lure by Bresser is the so-called 5-year warranty sticker on the product boxes. AWESOME right? a 5-year warranty on the same product that every other manufacturer selling the very same product, all made by Shenzen Fine Offset Electronics, merely offer a 1-year warranty on.

Bresser does not actually disclose the “normal warranty period” – I have dug through their site for this but it’s impossible to find, so consumers just think they get a 5-year warranty automatically but if you read through their terms and conditions for that 5-year warranty you will find this.

Guarantee terms

The regular warranty term begins on the day of purchase. In order to benefit from the extended/premium warranty, you must register your product no later than 3 months after your purchase. 

So, if you don’t register for you extended warranty within 3 months, you simply DO NOT GET IT !!!! But again, why is Bresser HIDING the ACTUAL normal warranty period????

Bresser products sold on Amazon.co.uk also OMIT this information. 🤔

Bresser then also has this rather cryptic sentence on one of their warranty pages.

For businesses, the limitation period for claims for defects in newly manufactured goods is one year from the transfer of risk. The sale of used goods is subject to the exclusion of any warranty. The statutory limitation periods for the right of recourse according to § 445a BGB (German Civil Code) remain unaffected.

So ???? 1 year warranty, 2 year warranty or 5 year warranty?

On the South African Takealot site the warranty states “12 month limited warranty” ….. NOW WE ARE GETTING SOMEWHERE 🤣

Omitting the product origin? Why?

On Bresser’s web site, I have looked through all their weather station pages and they fail to declare the product origin which should say “Made in China” which they are but why hide this or why not just declare it? What is there to hide?

Exploring some more products

Below is a very popular battery powered rain gauge, one sold by Logia and one sold by Bresser. BOTH are discontinued and were discontinued at the same time and have never been available since. Sad actually as they were great little rain gauges. Once again neither Bresser or Logia actually “manufactured” these.

Another weather station design with different logo’s

Below is another weather station design being sold by Logia, Bresser and others, as you can see, they are IDENTICAL.

China Operations

The optics division of Bresser products is clearly stated on their web site, why are the weather stations omitted?

Ask and ye shall receive

So after all my digging and searching I asked Bresser and here it is straight from the horse’s mouth. I still don’t get why they just don’t declare this on every product page, its just so simple to do and avoids people thinking otherwise or “assuming” they are made in Germany.

Consumer advisory for Bresser in South Africa

As a consumer you have a right to know everything about a product before you purchase it. All details especially warranty terms should be clearly described to you. Product origin in my opinion is also something that should be disclosed as there really is no reason to try and hide it to let consumers assume things.

Some retailers of Bresser in South Africa state the weather stations have a 2-year warranty, others say 12 months, some don’t even state anything and one of the players here in South Africa states the 5-year warranty period WITHOUT actually explaining what that involves. This is all just misleading and bloody unnecessary in the South African marketplace.

Bresser South Africa – Let’s have a look

So I ordered a Bresser, why not let’s check this shit out. First off NOWHERE on the product box, nowhere in the manual, and nowhere on any of the parts does it say “Made in China” …. instead as you can see below you are MISLED into thinking this is made in Germany. Of course take notice the 5-year warranty Buyer CATCH on the product box.

Ah yes, the 5-year warranty catch and of course no “Made in China” message

Clearly here you are being misled into “assuming” this is either made in Germany or the United Kingdom

The Warranty Verdict – Read the Fine Print 🙂 – 2 YEARS !!!!

So, the product manual doesn’t really mention the warranty at the beginning of the manual, but instead right at the end in fine print. Remember 95% of users DO NOT read the manual properly anyway and to get that precious 5-year warranty you need to visit their website. So the default “limited” warranty is actually 2 YEARS. Wow Bresser thanks for making it such a confusing process.

You have a right to know !!!

As a consumer ASK these questions upfront, do not assume anything at all because when it does come time for a warranty claim I can almost guarantee you, you will be given the run around. You HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW !!!!

Just remember that a LIMITED WARRANTY is exactly that LIMITED.

This means if YOU don’t install it properly, don’t maintain it, don’t use it properly, cause ANY negligent or intentional damage you will NOT get a replacement. Also if your unit is destroyed by forces of nature your warranty will not be honoured.

Bresser Weather Stations – a reputation for unreliability and frequent breakdowns

Bresser weather stations have garnered a reputation for unreliability and frequent breakdowns within a short period for several reasons. Here are some key issues contributing to these negative perceptions:

Build Quality and Durability

One of the primary concerns with Bresser weather stations is their build quality. Many users report that the materials used in the construction of these devices are not robust enough to withstand harsh weather conditions. This lack of durability often leads to parts breaking or malfunctioning after only a few months of use.

Sensor Accuracy and Performance

Another common complaint is related to the accuracy and performance of the sensors. Users frequently find that the sensors fail to provide consistent and accurate data, which is critical for reliable weather monitoring. Issues such as temperature and humidity sensors providing incorrect readings, or wind sensors failing to capture accurate wind speed and direction, are often reported.

Connectivity Issues

Many Bresser weather stations experience problems with connectivity, particularly with Wi-Fi and syncing data to external platforms. Users report frequent disconnections and difficulties in re-establishing connections, which can be frustrating and limit the usefulness of the weather station.

Customer Support and Service

The quality of customer support can significantly impact user satisfaction, and in the case of Bresser, many customers have expressed dissatisfaction with the support services provided. Complaints often mention slow response times, inadequate solutions to technical issues, and difficulty in obtaining replacements or repairs under warranty.

Software and User Interface

The software and user interface of Bresser weather stations are also areas of concern. Users find the accompanying software to be unintuitive and challenging to navigate, with limited functionality compared to competitors. Additionally, the display consoles may lack the clarity and ease of use found in other brands.

Short Lifespan

Given the combination of poor build quality, sensor inaccuracies, connectivity problems, and subpar customer support, many Bresser weather stations tend to have a short operational lifespan. Users report that these stations often fail within less than a year, leading to frustration and additional costs for repairs or replacements.

Conclusion

In summary, Bresser weather stations are proving unreliable due to issues with build quality, sensor accuracy, connectivity, customer support, and software usability. These factors contribute to the frequent breakdowns and overall dissatisfaction among users, prompting many to seek more reliable alternatives in the market.

Why does Bresser seem to try and mislead customers into believing these are made in Germany?

The perception that Bresser weather stations are made in Germany, while they are actually manufactured in China, may arise from several marketing strategies and branding practices that Bresser employs. Here are some reasons why this misleading impression might occur:

Branding and Heritage

Bresser is a well-established German company with a long history and reputation for quality optical and scientific instruments. The company often emphasizes its German heritage and brand identity, which can lead customers to assume that all their products are manufactured in Germany. This strong association with German engineering and quality might not be explicitly clarified when it comes to their weather stations.

Marketing Language

Bresser’s marketing materials might highlight the company’s German roots, quality control standards, and design processes, without clearly stating the manufacturing origin. Terms like “German engineering” or “designed in Germany” can be prominently featured, overshadowing any mention of where the actual production takes place.

Lack of Transparency

The packaging, product descriptions, and official website might not provide clear information about the manufacturing location. If the “Made in China” label is present, it might be in a less conspicuous place, not immediately visible to consumers.

Customer Assumptions

Customers might naturally associate Bresser’s high-quality German reputation with all their products, leading to the assumption that the weather stations are also made in Germany. This assumption can be reinforced if the customer is not explicitly informed otherwise.

Cost Management

Manufacturing in China allows companies to reduce production costs while still maintaining a degree of control over the quality of their products. Bresser, like many other companies, may choose this route to remain competitive in the market without explicitly highlighting the manufacturing location.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

While Bresser’s practices might not explicitly state misleading information, the emphasis on German design and heritage without clear communication about manufacturing origins can be seen as ethically questionable. This strategy can lead to customer confusion and a perception of being misled.

Conclusion

Bresser seems to capitalize on its German heritage and reputation for quality without sufficiently clarifying the manufacturing origins of its weather stations. This lack of transparency, combined with strategic marketing language and customer assumptions, leads to the misconception that these products are made in Germany when they are actually produced in China. Clearer communication about manufacturing locations would help in setting accurate customer expectations and maintaining trust.